D23 Expo Announcements: What Was Revealed and What Was Missed

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Details

• 🚀 Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge was detailed, with a focus on its epic scale and immersive design, as art director Doug Chang was impressed by the massive construction.
• 💡 A canceled attraction, the "banana ride" (a Bantha-themed vehicle), would have offered a tour overlooking Galaxy's Edge and its various scenes.

Park Attractions and Updates

• 🎢 The Tron Coaster is confirmed for Magic Kingdom, with its orientation adjusted to preserve Autotopia and Carousel of Progress.
• 🕰️ Carousel of Progress will receive a new finale scene and is seeking a new narrator, with Morgan Freeman being considered.
• 🐭 Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway will replace The Great Movie Ride at Hollywood Studios, with the latter closing August 13th.
• 🚀 Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is coming to Epcot, replacing Universe of Energy, following the success of the Mission: Breakout attraction.
• 🇨🇳 A new China film for the Epcot pavilion was a surprise announcement, indicating ongoing updates to World Showcase attractions.

Transportation and Accommodations

• 🚖 Disney launched its Uber-like minivan service, priced at $20 one-way, offering convenience and access to bus drop-off lanes.
• 🏨 The Star Wars hotel concept was revealed, with introductory pricing around $650 per room for two, featuring immersive experiences and galactic credits.
• 🚠 The Disney Skyliner gondola system is confirmed, with phase one connecting Caribbean Beach Resort to other areas, and a story about its route being confirmed pre-event emerged.

Undisclosed and Future Plans

• 🚢 A third Disney cruise ship was announced, with delivery in 2022, highlighting strong cruise sales and the need for fleet expansion.
• 🏝️ Disney is actively searching for a new island destination for cruises, potentially themed around pirates, to complement Castaway Cay.
• 🎭 A new Magic Kingdom Theater is planned behind the existing Main Street, U.S.A., with a capacity of 2,000, set to open for the 50th anniversary.
• 💡 Several potential announcements, including Monsters Inc. land, a Captain America coaster, and new World Showcase pavilions (Brazil, Spain), were notably absent from the D23 presentations.